Apply now for the African Peacebuilding and Developmental Dynamics (APDD) Fellowships 2026 by the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) – Fellowships for early- to mid-career scholars and doctoral students in Africa.

African Peacebuilding and Developmental Dynamics (APDD) Fellowships 2026

The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) invites applications for the African Peacebuilding and Developmental Dynamics (APDD) Fellowships — a sequence of research and doctoral fellowships designed to foster innovation, capacity-building, and independent research on peacebuilding, developmental dynamics and state-society relations in Africa. What are the APDD Fellowships?

The APDD programme supports early- to mid-career scholars and practitioners through field-based research and writing. It also offers doctoral students in Africa a structured path through three programme types: Proposal, Research, and Completion.

Key components include:

• The Individual Research Fellowship (IRF): up to nine months of field-based research and writing for early- to mid-career scholars or practitioners.

• The Research Policy Fellowship (RPF): for former IRF fellows to work in policy/practitioner institutions for up to six months.

• Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships: structured in three phases

  • Proposal programme (6 months)

  • Research programme (12 months)

  • Completion programme (12 months)

Who is eligible?

• African citizens residing in an African country.

• For IRF: academics with PhDs awarded no earlier than Jan 2016, or practitioners with master’s degree awarded before Jan 2021 and at least five years’ experience in peacebuilding-related work.

• For Doctoral Dissertation programme

• : doctoral students enrolled in selected universities (Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda) working on their dissertation proposals or writing.

What do the fellowships offer?

• For IRF: up to US$12,000 each for up to nine months of research (six months fieldwork + three months analysis/writing), commencing July 2026.

• Engagement in workshops, mentoring, networking with senior scholars and practitioners in Africa and globally.

• For doctoral fellowships: support for proposal development, research or completion phases; leave to focus on writing; participation in professional development.

How to apply

• Applications must be submitted via the online portal.

• Submit research proposal, bibliography, CV, timeline, budget (for IRF), and two reference letters.

• Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria and submit by the deadline.

Deadline & Important Dates

• Application deadline: January 16, 2026 (11:59 pm EST). Social Science Research Council (SSRC)

• Fellowship start date: July 2026. ApplyNOW+1

Why apply?

Participating in the APDD programme offers a unique opportunity to:

• Advance your research on peacebuilding, governance, conflict, and development in Africa.

• Connect with a vibrant network of African scholars and practitioners working on high-impact issues.

• Influence policy and practice by linking academic research with practitioner institutions.

• Build your academic profile, publish working papers, contribute to public debates and knowledge production.

How this opportunity fits your plans

If you are an African researcher, policy analyst, or doctoral student focused on peace, conflict, governance, and developmental dynamics, then the APDD Fellowships may be ideal for you. Whether you are at the early stage of your career or completing a doctorate, this fellowship programme allows you to deepen your research, build partnerships, and make a meaningful contribution to African-led knowledge and practice.

Through a combination of funding, mentorship, and research collaboration, fellows gain the opportunity to engage directly with leading scholars, policymakers, and institutions shaping Africa’s development and peacebuilding landscape. The program encourages interdisciplinary approaches, innovative thinking, and policy-relevant outcomes that can transform local realities and influence continental agendas. By joining the APDD community, participants become part of a dynamic network committed to advancing African scholarship, strengthening institutional capacities, and promoting homegrown solutions to pressing social, economic, and political challenges.

Final Call to Action

Don’t miss your chance to become part of the APDD course cohort and contribute to shaping peace, security and developmental outcomes in Africa. Apply now through the official SSRC portal.
🔗 Apply here: SSRC APDD Fellowships Application

For more international career opportunities, visit Opportunities For Youth